What is Paraoptometrics?

A Miami optometrist is a doctor that sees patients and helps them figure out what type of prescription they need to correct their vision, but also one that helps patients deal with an array of optical issues. They can get very busy at times, and they definitely need some help taking care of all their patients and performing the proper examinations. This is where paraoptometrics comes into play; a paraoptometric technician is one who assists an optometrist during their daily operations. Eye doctors in Miami use paraoptometric technicians the same way a lawyer uses a paralegal.

What Does the Paraoptometric Technician Do?

There are many helpful things the paraoptometric technician can do that will make the day easier for an eye doctor in Miami. Their tasks can vary from day to day, but there are a number of basic things that they will do on a regular basis. Here are some of the main things a paraoptometric technician will do during the day:

● Measure the curvature of a patient’s cornea. This is crucial information for an optometrist to have so they can figure out what type of prescription a patient needs to correct their vision.

● Taking patient histories. The technician can speak with a patient about their medical history so the optometrist can look at a detailed sheet of information that sums up what they need to know.

● Perform blood pressure tests. Blood pressure can affect the way a patient is able to see, and the technician can perform the appropriate tests for the optometrist on duty.

● A technician may also order eyewear for a patient and explain how to properly care for their contacts or glasses.

● Taking pictures of the interior of a patient’s eyes. An optometrist is going to need to look at the interior of a patient’s eye to look for any irregularities or issues that may be present, and the technician can take the images for their optometrist.

Becoming a Paraoptometric Technician

Those who are interested in becoming a paraoptometric technician so they can work closely with a Miami eye doctor need to focus on passing the CPOT examination. Once someone has this certification, it qualifies them to work closely with an optometrist and help them throughout the day. There are many different training materials available for those who are interested in taking the CPOT. Most of the training involves gaining knowledge about anatomy and physiology, clinical procedures, ophthalmologic optics/dispensing, pre-testing procedures, and learning how to use specific optometric measurement tools. This is a great career choice for someone who is looking to get into the medical field and work closely with patients.